NEW YORK – For more than 40 years actor Martin Sheen has inhabited complex characters from the troubled Capt. Willard in the Vietnam film “Apocalypse Now” to U.S. President Josiah Bartlet on the hit TV drama “The West Wing.”

But for one of his latest projects, Sheen, 71, did not have to reach far. The devout Catholic narrated the audiobook of “Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World,” a new book by the Dalai Lama.....Q: As a devout Catholic, how did you feel about narrating a book that calls for thinking about spirituality and ethics in a way that is “beyond religion” altogether?

A: “You can’t separate any honest effort that is truthful. As my wife is always telling me, the truth is universal and omnipresent. You can’t question where it comes from. The Dalai Lama lives a very honest and truthful life. He’s a reflection of the Gospels, whether he would call it such or not. What he is striving to do with this book is to find a common ground in the secular world because his whole point is that the vast majority of the world is not religious or religiously inclined.”

Q: Aren’t there already a lot of ethical, non-religious people?

A: “Sure and I think the Dalai Lama’s book will encourage them and sustain them. It doesn’t say drop your religion; [it doesn't say that] you can’t go this path and remain a Catholic or a Protestant or a Muslim or a Jew. On the contrary, it’s about your humanity. That’s where we’re all united. I think what he is trying to do is enlarge the circle. He’s trying to ensure people that they don’t have to give up anything that they believe in order to enlarge their possibilities.”

Logged

If you will, you can become all flame.Extra caritatem nulla salus.In order to become whole, take the "I" out of "holiness". सर्वभूतहितἌνω σχῶμεν τὰς καρδίας"Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is." -- Mohandas GandhiY dduw bo'r diolch.

NEW YORK – For more than 40 years actor Martin Sheen has inhabited complex characters from the troubled Capt. Willard in the Vietnam film “Apocalypse Now” to U.S. President Josiah Bartlet on the hit TV drama “The West Wing.”

But for one of his latest projects, Sheen, 71, did not have to reach far. The devout Catholic narrated the audiobook of “Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World,” a new book by the Dalai Lama.....Q: As a devout Catholic, how did you feel about narrating a book that calls for thinking about spirituality and ethics in a way that is “beyond religion” altogether?

A: “You can’t separate any honest effort that is truthful. As my wife is always telling me, the truth is universal and omnipresent. You can’t question where it comes from. The Dalai Lama lives a very honest and truthful life. He’s a reflection of the Gospels, whether he would call it such or not. What he is striving to do with this book is to find a common ground in the secular world because his whole point is that the vast majority of the world is not religious or religiously inclined.”

Q: Aren’t there already a lot of ethical, non-religious people?

A: “Sure and I think the Dalai Lama’s book will encourage them and sustain them. It doesn’t say drop your religion; [it doesn't say that] you can’t go this path and remain a Catholic or a Protestant or a Muslim or a Jew. On the contrary, it’s about your humanity. That’s where we’re all united. I think what he is trying to do is enlarge the circle. He’s trying to ensure people that they don’t have to give up anything that they believe in order to enlarge their possibilities.”

Other than the fact that Martin Sheen is a Catholic, is there some reason this is placed in this section rather than news or some other area?

I TOTALLY thought this was about Charlie Sheen. It would have been infinitely more interesting.

Logged

She's touring the facility/and picking up slack.--"For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow." Ecclesiastes 1:18--I once believed in causes too, I had my pointless point of view --Life went on no matter who was wrong or right

I TOTALLY thought this was about Charlie Sheen. It would have been infinitely more interesting.

Really? You *are* joking, right?

As one of the women who cannot stand Charlie Sheen, of course I'm joking.

Logged

She's touring the facility/and picking up slack.--"For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow." Ecclesiastes 1:18--I once believed in causes too, I had my pointless point of view --Life went on no matter who was wrong or right

I TOTALLY thought this was about Charlie Sheen. It would have been infinitely more interesting.

Really? You *are* joking, right?

As one of the women who cannot stand Charlie Sheen, of course I'm joking.

Phew!!! You had me worried for a moment .

How would that not have been more interesting. While Charlie Sheen does not seem to be a praiseworthy fellow (although I judge not in my abject humility), he probably would have had some interesting things to say about religion and stuff.

She's touring the facility/and picking up slack.--"For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow." Ecclesiastes 1:18--I once believed in causes too, I had my pointless point of view --Life went on no matter who was wrong or right

I TOTALLY thought this was about Charlie Sheen. It would have been infinitely more interesting.

Really? You *are* joking, right?

As one of the women who cannot stand Charlie Sheen, of course I'm joking.

Phew!!! You had me worried for a moment .

How would that not have been more interesting. While Charlie Sheen does not seem to be a praiseworthy fellow (although I judge not in my abject humility), he probably would have had some interesting things to say about religion and stuff.

"Stuff"? You mean like leading an exemplary lifestyle and being a shining role-model for youth? That kind of stuff?

Logged

"May Thy Cross, O Lord, in which I seek refuge, be for me a bridge across the great river of fire. May I pass along it to the habitation of life." ~St. Ephraim the Syrian

I TOTALLY thought this was about Charlie Sheen. It would have been infinitely more interesting.

Really? You *are* joking, right?

As one of the women who cannot stand Charlie Sheen, of course I'm joking.

Phew!!! You had me worried for a moment .

How would that not have been more interesting. While Charlie Sheen does not seem to be a praiseworthy fellow (although I judge not in my abject humility), he probably would have had some interesting things to say about religion and stuff.

"Stuff"? You mean like leading an exemplary lifestyle and being a shining role-model for youth? That kind of stuff?

I TOTALLY thought this was about Charlie Sheen. It would have been infinitely more interesting.

Really? You *are* joking, right?

As one of the women who cannot stand Charlie Sheen, of course I'm joking.

Phew!!! You had me worried for a moment .

How would that not have been more interesting. While Charlie Sheen does not seem to be a praiseworthy fellow (although I judge not in my abject humility), he probably would have had some interesting things to say about religion and stuff.

"Stuff"? You mean like leading an exemplary lifestyle and being a shining role-model for youth? That kind of stuff?

Crazy is more interesting that 1950's morality.

Old Chinese curse: "May you live in *interesting* times."

I've lived, seen, and done more "interesting" than you could probably even imagine. You may have it. I'll take the '50's morality. Have "fun" !

Logged

"May Thy Cross, O Lord, in which I seek refuge, be for me a bridge across the great river of fire. May I pass along it to the habitation of life." ~St. Ephraim the Syrian

I TOTALLY thought this was about Charlie Sheen. It would have been infinitely more interesting.

Really? You *are* joking, right?

As one of the women who cannot stand Charlie Sheen, of course I'm joking.

Phew!!! You had me worried for a moment .

How would that not have been more interesting. While Charlie Sheen does not seem to be a praiseworthy fellow (although I judge not in my abject humility), he probably would have had some interesting things to say about religion and stuff.

"Stuff"? You mean like leading an exemplary lifestyle and being a shining role-model for youth? That kind of stuff?

Crazy is more interesting that 1950's morality.

Old Chinese curse: "May you live in *interesting* times."

I've lived, seen, and done more "interesting" than you could probably even imagine. You may have it. I'll take the '50's morality. Have "fun" !

I can tell you are from the 50's because you don't understand internets at all.

I TOTALLY thought this was about Charlie Sheen. It would have been infinitely more interesting.

Really? You *are* joking, right?

As one of the women who cannot stand Charlie Sheen, of course I'm joking.

Phew!!! You had me worried for a moment .

How would that not have been more interesting. While Charlie Sheen does not seem to be a praiseworthy fellow (although I judge not in my abject humility), he probably would have had some interesting things to say about religion and stuff.

"Stuff"? You mean like leading an exemplary lifestyle and being a shining role-model for youth? That kind of stuff?

Crazy is more interesting that 1950's morality.

Old Chinese curse: "May you live in *interesting* times."

I've lived, seen, and done more "interesting" than you could probably even imagine. You may have it. I'll take the '50's morality. Have "fun" !

I can tell you are from the 50's because you don't understand internets at all.

"Internets"? What, there's more than 1? No wonder I'm confused! I must be on the wrong one!!

It's truly miraculous that I can even operate a computer!!

Logged

"May Thy Cross, O Lord, in which I seek refuge, be for me a bridge across the great river of fire. May I pass along it to the habitation of life." ~St. Ephraim the Syrian

I TOTALLY thought this was about Charlie Sheen. It would have been infinitely more interesting.

Really? You *are* joking, right?

As one of the women who cannot stand Charlie Sheen, of course I'm joking.

Phew!!! You had me worried for a moment .

How would that not have been more interesting. While Charlie Sheen does not seem to be a praiseworthy fellow (although I judge not in my abject humility), he probably would have had some interesting things to say about religion and stuff.

"Stuff"? You mean like leading an exemplary lifestyle and being a shining role-model for youth? That kind of stuff?

Crazy is more interesting that 1950's morality.

Old Chinese curse: "May you live in *interesting* times."

I've lived, seen, and done more "interesting" than you could probably even imagine. You may have it. I'll take the '50's morality. Have "fun" !

I can tell you are from the 50's because you don't understand internets at all.

"Internets"? What, there's more than 1? No wonder I'm confused! I must be on the wrong one!!

Internets is a phrase used by those that consider themselves to be hip to refer to the Internet. A joke states that the internet was invented by Al Gore, pluralized by George W. Bush. "Internets" was originally uttered by then-candidate Bush while campaigning. It gained meme status when he used it again in 2004

Read the whole thing. its pretty funny.

PP

Logged

"I confidently affirm that whoever calls himself Universal Bishop is the precursor of Antichrist"Gregory the Great

"Never, never, never let anyone tell you that, in order to be Orthodox, you must also be eastern." St. John Maximovitch, The Wonderworker

I TOTALLY thought this was about Charlie Sheen. It would have been infinitely more interesting.

Really? You *are* joking, right?

As one of the women who cannot stand Charlie Sheen, of course I'm joking.

Phew!!! You had me worried for a moment .

How would that not have been more interesting. While Charlie Sheen does not seem to be a praiseworthy fellow (although I judge not in my abject humility), he probably would have had some interesting things to say about religion and stuff.

"Stuff"? You mean like leading an exemplary lifestyle and being a shining role-model for youth? That kind of stuff?

Crazy is more interesting that 1950's morality.

Old Chinese curse: "May you live in *interesting* times."

I've lived, seen, and done more "interesting" than you could probably even imagine. You may have it. I'll take the '50's morality. Have "fun" !

I can tell you are from the 50's because you don't understand internets at all.

"Internets"? What, there's more than 1? No wonder I'm confused! I must be on the wrong one!!

Internets is a phrase used by those that consider themselves to be hip to refer to the Internet. A joke states that the internet was invented by Al Gore, pluralized by George W. Bush. "Internets" was originally uttered by then-candidate Bush while campaigning. It gained meme status when he used it again in 2004

Read the whole thing. its pretty funny.

PP

ROTFLOL

How'd they get that baby picture of me, though?

I think you, PP, have just won 100 internets!!

Now, then....where's my "mouse" trap??

Logged

"May Thy Cross, O Lord, in which I seek refuge, be for me a bridge across the great river of fire. May I pass along it to the habitation of life." ~St. Ephraim the Syrian

....Other than the fact that Martin Sheen is a Catholic, is there some reason this is placed in this section rather than news or some other area?

Is there something you want to know or say about it?

It's interesting that, pre-Vatican II, not too many Catholics would have been eager to narrate a book written by a Buddhist. Sheen on how an Episcopalian helped him return to the Church:

Quote

NCR: What came next for you spiritually?

Martin Sheen: “Apocalypse Now” began a journey for me that culminated in Paris in 1981. This is when I was able to bring it all together -- my life, my family, my career, my brokenness. I was doing this little film in Paris and the family couldn’t come because of school and things. I had time to walk around and reflect on all that had gone down before, and I ran into Terrence Malick. I had known him from the early ’70s, since “Badlands.” At that time he was living under the radar. He is an articulate and spiritual man and he became a kind of spiritual adviser for me. We would talk endlessly when I wasn’t working. We would talk about spirituality and philosophy and the journey. He’s an Episcopalian.

NCR: That’s interesting. Because the Catholic News Service review of Malick’s latest film, “The Tree of Life,” says that “Malick’s agnosticism seems to win out.” It sounds like you would not agree with that assessment.

Sheen: He and his wife Jill Jakes divorced after “Badlands” [1973]. He was broken and went to a church in Paris and met Michelle Morette. They married in 1985 and he brought her to the States but they split up in 1998. Terrence married his childhood sweetheart, Alexandra “Ecky” Wallace, that same year in Texas. Ecky attended seminary and I believe she is ordained. Today they attend an Episcopal church. Malick went to St. Stephen’s, an Episcopal boarding school, in Austin, Texas, and he’s very connected to that school.

At any rate, Malick became a kind of life coach for me. He became a great anchor for me. The last book he gave me to read, and he had me read several times, was The Brothers Karamazov and it transformed my spirit. When I finished reading it I put it down and literally got up and walked to St. Joseph Church [the English-speaking parish in Paris]. It was May Day and I banged on the door and this Irish Passionist priest opened the door and said, “What’s going on?” I told him, “I have been away from the church for a long time and I’d like to go to confession.”

Logged

If you will, you can become all flame.Extra caritatem nulla salus.In order to become whole, take the "I" out of "holiness". सर्वभूतहितἌνω σχῶμεν τὰς καρδίας"Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is." -- Mohandas GandhiY dduw bo'r diolch.

It is a medium of information transfer. We don't capitalize others media of transferring infos.

Should "info" be pluralised?

Absolutely. But it hasn't risen to the use of the z pluralization yet.

I'm British, I spell English words properly!

The pluralization of non-countable nouns is an internetzizm.

advicespsychologicalsetc.

It tend to reflect a less than strict use of the word or ironic. Using a z for the plural is an intensifier.

For example:

Some asks a question on OC.net about something that everyone says to ask your Priest about.

Knowing this, they say:

OK, I need some advices. Blah blah blah.

This acknowledges the above fact that the person knows the default and "best" answer is to ask their Priest and they still want advice from others. Others seeing the plural understand the person is going to take their advice with a grain of salt AND ask their Priest and thus can answer without the typical caveats or worries that this person doesn't know the SOP.

When some here give out some decent psychological advice in a loose sense, I often will respond with: Good psychologicals. This shows that I am acknowledging the fact the person is not a professional nor should their advice taken to be such, but seems to run right according to my experience and understanding of "psychology".

Now if I want psychological advice on something about which I know is basically an absurd situation and the answer is staring me in the face and am looking for just a push into the right direction, I might post:

OK, I have this situation. Blah blah blah. I could use some psychologicalz.

It is a medium of information transfer. We don't capitalize others media of transferring infos.

Should "info" be pluralised?

Absolutely. But it hasn't risen to the use of the z pluralization yet.

I'm British, I spell English words properly!

The pluralization of non-countable nouns is an internetzizm.

advicespsychologicalsetc.

It tend to reflect a less than strict use of the word or ironic. Using a z for the plural is an intensifier.

For example:

Some asks a question on OC.net about something that everyone says to ask your Priest about.

Knowing this, they say:

OK, I need some advices. Blah blah blah.

This acknowledges the above fact that the person knows the default and "best" answer is to ask their Priest and they still want advice from others. Others seeing the plural understand the person is going to take their advice with a grain of salt AND ask their Priest and thus can answer without the typical caveats or worries that this person doesn't know the SOP.

When some here give out some decent psychological advice in a loose sense, I often will respond with: Good psychologicals. This shows that I am acknowledging the fact the person is not a professional nor should their advice taken to be such, but seems to run right according to my experience and understanding of "psychology".

Now if I want psychological advice on something about which I know is basically an absurd situation and the answer is staring me in the face and am looking for just a push into the right direction, I might post:

OK, I have this situation. Blah blah blah. I could use some psychologicalz.

Or stronger yet zychologicalz.

Make sense yet?

Wowzer!! And here I thought it was all just baaaad Englishez.

Logged

"May Thy Cross, O Lord, in which I seek refuge, be for me a bridge across the great river of fire. May I pass along it to the habitation of life." ~St. Ephraim the Syrian

It is a medium of information transfer. We don't capitalize others media of transferring infos.

Should "info" be pluralised?

Absolutely. But it hasn't risen to the use of the z pluralization yet.

I'm British, I spell English words properly!

The pluralization of non-countable nouns is an internetzizm.

advicespsychologicalsetc.

It tend to reflect a less than strict use of the word or ironic. Using a z for the plural is an intensifier.

For example:

Some asks a question on OC.net about something that everyone says to ask your Priest about.

Knowing this, they say:

OK, I need some advices. Blah blah blah.

This acknowledges the above fact that the person knows the default and "best" answer is to ask their Priest and they still want advice from others. Others seeing the plural understand the person is going to take their advice with a grain of salt AND ask their Priest and thus can answer without the typical caveats or worries that this person doesn't know the SOP.

When some here give out some decent psychological advice in a loose sense, I often will respond with: Good psychologicals. This shows that I am acknowledging the fact the person is not a professional nor should their advice taken to be such, but seems to run right according to my experience and understanding of "psychology".

Now if I want psychological advice on something about which I know is basically an absurd situation and the answer is staring me in the face and am looking for just a push into the right direction, I might post:

OK, I have this situation. Blah blah blah. I could use some psychologicalz.

Or stronger yet zychologicalz.

Make sense yet?

My head is spinning and I supsect yours is, too!!

Logged

I believe in One God, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

It is a medium of information transfer. We don't capitalize others media of transferring infos.

Should "info" be pluralised?

Absolutely. But it hasn't risen to the use of the z pluralization yet.

I'm British, I spell English words properly!

The pluralization of non-countable nouns is an internetzizm.

advicespsychologicalsetc.

It tend to reflect a less than strict use of the word or ironic. Using a z for the plural is an intensifier.

For example:

Some asks a question on OC.net about something that everyone says to ask your Priest about.

Knowing this, they say:

OK, I need some advices. Blah blah blah.

This acknowledges the above fact that the person knows the default and "best" answer is to ask their Priest and they still want advice from others. Others seeing the plural understand the person is going to take their advice with a grain of salt AND ask their Priest and thus can answer without the typical caveats or worries that this person doesn't know the SOP.

When some here give out some decent psychological advice in a loose sense, I often will respond with: Good psychologicals. This shows that I am acknowledging the fact the person is not a professional nor should their advice taken to be such, but seems to run right according to my experience and understanding of "psychology".

Now if I want psychological advice on something about which I know is basically an absurd situation and the answer is staring me in the face and am looking for just a push into the right direction, I might post:

OK, I have this situation. Blah blah blah. I could use some psychologicalz.

Or stronger yet zychologicalz.

Make sense yet?

Wowzer!! And here I thought it was all just baaaad Englishez.

I'm with you on this, J Michael!

Logged

I believe in One God, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

It is a medium of information transfer. We don't capitalize others media of transferring infos.

Should "info" be pluralised?

Absolutely. But it hasn't risen to the use of the z pluralization yet.

I'm British, I spell English words properly!

The pluralization of non-countable nouns is an internetzizm.

advicespsychologicalsetc.

It tend to reflect a less than strict use of the word or ironic. Using a z for the plural is an intensifier.

For example:

Some asks a question on OC.net about something that everyone says to ask your Priest about.

Knowing this, they say:

OK, I need some advices. Blah blah blah.

This acknowledges the above fact that the person knows the default and "best" answer is to ask their Priest and they still want advice from others. Others seeing the plural understand the person is going to take their advice with a grain of salt AND ask their Priest and thus can answer without the typical caveats or worries that this person doesn't know the SOP.

When some here give out some decent psychological advice in a loose sense, I often will respond with: Good psychologicals. This shows that I am acknowledging the fact the person is not a professional nor should their advice taken to be such, but seems to run right according to my experience and understanding of "psychology".

Now if I want psychological advice on something about which I know is basically an absurd situation and the answer is staring me in the face and am looking for just a push into the right direction, I might post:

OK, I have this situation. Blah blah blah. I could use some psychologicalz.

It is a medium of information transfer. We don't capitalize others media of transferring infos.

Should "info" be pluralised?

Absolutely. But it hasn't risen to the use of the z pluralization yet.

I'm British, I spell English words properly!

The pluralization of non-countable nouns is an internetzizm.

advicespsychologicalsetc.

It tend to reflect a less than strict use of the word or ironic. Using a z for the plural is an intensifier.

For example:

Some asks a question on OC.net about something that everyone says to ask your Priest about.

Knowing this, they say:

OK, I need some advices. Blah blah blah.

This acknowledges the above fact that the person knows the default and "best" answer is to ask their Priest and they still want advice from others. Others seeing the plural understand the person is going to take their advice with a grain of salt AND ask their Priest and thus can answer without the typical caveats or worries that this person doesn't know the SOP.

When some here give out some decent psychological advice in a loose sense, I often will respond with: Good psychologicals. This shows that I am acknowledging the fact the person is not a professional nor should their advice taken to be such, but seems to run right according to my experience and understanding of "psychology".

Now if I want psychological advice on something about which I know is basically an absurd situation and the answer is staring me in the face and am looking for just a push into the right direction, I might post:

OK, I have this situation. Blah blah blah. I could use some psychologicalz.

It is a medium of information transfer. We don't capitalize others media of transferring infos.

Should "info" be pluralised?

Absolutely. But it hasn't risen to the use of the z pluralization yet.

I'm British, I spell English words properly!

The pluralization of non-countable nouns is an internetzizm.

advicespsychologicalsetc.

It tend to reflect a less than strict use of the word or ironic. Using a z for the plural is an intensifier.

For example:

Some asks a question on OC.net about something that everyone says to ask your Priest about.

Knowing this, they say:

OK, I need some advices. Blah blah blah.

This acknowledges the above fact that the person knows the default and "best" answer is to ask their Priest and they still want advice from others. Others seeing the plural understand the person is going to take their advice with a grain of salt AND ask their Priest and thus can answer without the typical caveats or worries that this person doesn't know the SOP.

When some here give out some decent psychological advice in a loose sense, I often will respond with: Good psychologicals. This shows that I am acknowledging the fact the person is not a professional nor should their advice taken to be such, but seems to run right according to my experience and understanding of "psychology".

Now if I want psychological advice on something about which I know is basically an absurd situation and the answer is staring me in the face and am looking for just a push into the right direction, I might post:

OK, I have this situation. Blah blah blah. I could use some psychologicalz.

I have great respect for Martin Sheen, who is indeed a devout Catholic. He is one of the few Hollywood actors whose social activism is authentic and religiously motivated, IMO. Martin Sheen was good friends with Dorothy Day and the Berrigan brothers, and he was active in the Catholic Worker Movement. Martin Sheen is also very Pro-Life. In fact, a few years ago when Planned Parenthood listed him along with other Hollywood celebrities as a supporter of their organization he was very upset and demanded that they remove his name from their list.

It's sad that his son has not followed in his father's social and spiritual footsteps. However, Martin Sheen seems to love his son deeply and apears to extend him unconditional fatherly and Christian love.

Martin Sheen is a great actor and a classy individual in my opinion, and you can't say that about too many people in Hollywood.

Selam

Logged

"There are two great tragedies: one is to live a life ruled by the passions, and the other is to live a passionless life."Selam, +GMK+